Molluscicidal and Anti-Barnacle Compounds

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of one or more compounds as a molluscicidal and/or mollusc-repellant agent, wherein the one or more compounds are terpenes or oxygenated derivatives thereof. The present invention also relates to a molluscicidal and/or mollusc-repellant agent comprising one or more of the compounds of the present invention. The present invention also relates to the use of one or more compounds as an anti-barnacle agent, wherein the one or more compounds are terpenes or oxygenated derivatives thereof. The present invention also relates to an anti-barnacle composition comprising the one or more compounds. The present invention also relates to the use of a plant extract as an anti-barnacle agent.

1 . A composition comprising an isolated compound in combination with one or more carriers for use as a molluscicidal and/or mollusc-repellant agent, wherein the compound is a terpene or oxygenated derivative thereof, the terpene is selected from the group consisting of:  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       monocyclic sesquiterpenes of the bisabolene, bisabolol or germacrene type; and bicyclic sesquiterpenes of the santalene or carophyllene type.  
     
   
   
       2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the compound is  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
   
   
       3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the compound is  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
   
   
       4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the compound is  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
   
   
       5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of:  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
   
   
       6 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is a heterologous carrier.  
   
   
       7 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the compound is obtained from a plant in in a genus selected from the group consisting of  Detarium, Ximenia, Polygonum, Commiphora  and  Boswellia.    
   
   
       8 . The composition according to  claim 7 , wherein the plant is of a species selected from the group consisting of  Detarium microcarpum, Ximenia americana, Polygonum limbatum, Commiphora molmol, Commiphora guidotti,  and  Boswellia  sp.  
   
   
       9 . The composition according to  claim 8 , wherein the plant is  Commiphora molmol  or  Commiphora guidotti.    
   
   
       10 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is a particulate.  
   
   
       11 . The composition according to  claim 10 , wherein the particulate is selected from the group consisting of sand, sharp sand, pumice granules, sawdust, wood chips and corncob chips.  
   
   
       12 . The composition according to  claim 10 , wherein the particulate is sawdust.  
   
   
       13 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition is in a formulation capable of being sprayed.  
   
   
       14 . The composition according to  claim 13 , wherein the carrier is an aqueous solution comprising between 1 and 10% alcohol in water.  
   
   
       15 . The composition according to  claim 1  further comprising an effector agent.  
   
   
       16 . The composition according to  claim 15  wherein the effector agent is a fertiliser or a pesticide.  
   
   
       17 . The composition according to  claim 1 , which contains between 0.1 and 5% (v/v) compound.  
   
   
       18 . The composition according  claim 17 , which contains between 0.1 and 3% (v/v) compound.  
   
   
       19 . The composition according to  claim 18 , which contains between 0.25 and 1% (v/v) compound.  
   
   
       20 . A method of killing or repelling mollusks comprising: applying the composition according to  claim 1  to a mollusk or a surface that contacts mollusks whereby the mollusk is killed or repelled.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the isolated compound is a terpene or oxygenated derivative thereof, and the terpene is selected from the group consisting of:  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       monocyclic sesquiterpenes of the bisabolene, bisabolol or germacrene type; and  
       bicyclic sesquiterpenes of the santalene or carophyllene type.  
     
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the compound is combined with one or more carriers.  
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the compound is applied in combination with one or more effector agents.  
   
   
       24 . The method according to any of claims  20  wherein the mollusk is aquatic or terrestrial.  
   
   
       25 . A method of killing or repelling barnacles comprising: applying to a barnacle or a surface that contacts barnacles a plant material derived from a plant in a plant family selected from the group consisting of Caesalpiniaceae, Olaceae, Polygonaceae and Bursecaceae wherein the plant material has as an anti-barnacle effect.  
   
   
       26 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the plant material is obtained from a plant in a genus selected from the group consisting of  Detarium, Ximenia, Polygonum, Commiphora  and  Boswellia.    
   
   
       27 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the plant is of a species selected from the group consisting of  Detarium microcarpum, Ximenia americana, Polygonum limbatum, Commiphora molmol, Commiphora guidotti  and  Boswellia  sp.  
   
   
       28 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the plant is  Commiphora molmol  or  Commiphora guidotti.    
   
   
       29 . The method according to  25  wherein the plant material is in the form of particles or a powder.  
   
   
       30 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the plant material comprises substantially the whole plant.  
   
   
       31 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the plant material comprises bark, leaves or a shoot of the plant.  
   
   
       32 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the plant material is an alcoholic extract of the plant.  
   
   
       33 . The method according to  claim 32 , wherein the plant material is an alcoholic extract of the essential oil of the plant.  
   
   
       34 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the plant material is a substantially isolated compound.  
   
   
       35 . The method according to  claim 34 , wherein the substantially isolated compound is applied in combination with a carrier.  
   
   
       36 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the plant material is applied in combination with an effector agent.  
   
   
       37 . The method according to  claim 25  wherein the plant material is applied as a paint-like preparation.  
   
   
       38 . An anti-barnacle composition comprising an isolated compound and one or more carriers for use as an anti-barnacle agent, wherein the compound is a terpene or oxygenated derivative thereof, and the terpene is cis-β-ocimene or trans-β-ocimene.  
   
   
       39 . The composition according to  claim 38 , which is suitable for applying to surfaces that come into contact with barnacles.  
   
   
       40 . The composition according to  claim 38 , which contains between 0.1 and 50% (v/v) compound.  
   
   
       41 . The composition according to  claim 40 , which contains between 3 and 25% v/v compound.  
   
   
       42 . The composition according to  claim 41 , which contains between 6 and 25% v/v compound.  
   
   
       43 . The composition according to  claim 38  further comprising an effector agent.  
   
   
       44 . A method of treating or repelling barnacles. Comprising: applying a composition according to  claim 38  to barnacles or to a surface that comes into contact with barnacles, whereby barnacles are killed or repelled.  
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 44  wherein the compound is cis-β-ocimene, trans-β-ocimene.  
   
   
       46 . The method according to  claim 45 , wherein the compound is applied with one or more carriers.  
   
   
       47 . The method according to  claim 45  wherein the compound is applied with an effector agent.  
   
   
       48 . A method of forming a stable water emulsion comprising an essential oil, a surfactant and water, wherein the essential oil and the surfactant are mixed together prior to addition of the water.